Overland Park approves first steps for subdivision development on golf course
The Overland Park Planning Commission approved the beginning steps of a new plan for the Deer Creek Golf Course on Monday despite community pushback.
The commission voted 7-2 to approve one preliminary plat, a section of land, and three final plats for the old golf course at their regular meeting.
The developer and owner, GreatLifeKC, wants to put 68 single-family homes on the site, but many homeowners nearby voiced objection to the green space disappearing after buying homes close to the golf course.
The 158.4 acre property is located at the northeastern corner of 133rd Street and Metcalf Ave.
GreatLifeKC first wanted to construct an apartment complex on the course, but the rezoning request was denied by Overland Park’s City Council, and the golf course officially closed in April.
The housing development is proposed to unfold in five phases, but no plan for phase five has been submitted yet.
Community members and the commission voiced concerns about not knowing the full plan for the development.
“My biggest concern with it is not knowing phase five,” Commissioner Radd Way said.
Developers plan to leave about 129 acres as open space. Several streets and cul-de-sacs are planned to connect existing roads to the new subdivision.
Tomahawk Creek also runs through the northern area of the preliminary area. A substantial part of that is in the FEMA floodplain, though there are no plans to develop on the floodplain.
Community members urged the commission to reject the application, partly because of continued erosion of the creek.
Existing trails would remain, but community members showed videos of those trails flooding regularly.
Homeowners said they were concerned that the development would increase flooding that already occurs in the area.
Residents of the nearby neighborhoods said that they paid more money to live on the edge of a golf course, and are worried that replacing that green space with more homes could bring down their property values.
Judd Claussen with Phelps Engineering said that the developer wants to start construction in early 2023 if the proposal is approved.